The Men Tell All special, held before each finale of The Bachelorette, is usually one of the most entertaining and scandalous episodes of the entire season. You can count on drama, bloopers, and that one guy who was barely even on the show trying to incessantly share his opinions. But aside from a few glorious moments of pure wackiness, this year’s Men Tell All was surprisingly tame and, might we say, boring. So here are 11 things we wish would’ve happened during the show.

1. Fewer apologies

Gone are the days when the Men Tell All was the arena to throw down and cause a stir one last time before fading into reject oblivion. But apologies from the likes of Ian—who actually got down on his knees to beg forgiveness—and first night drunk Ryan may have been the adult thing to do... but not what we want to see on television.

2. A Clint and JJ fight

Clint and JJ’s “bromance” was one of the most hotly debated subjects of the evening. But we were looking for these two to finish what was started when Kaitlyn dismissed Clint many moons ago. Is it too much to ask that a punch be thrown every once in a while?

3. The Ben vs. Ben for Bachelor debate

We’re pretty sure we know who our next Bachelor will be, but Ben Z. and Ben H. were neck-and-neck when it came to audience reaction. A brief pause from the long soliloquies of lost love with Kaitlyn would’ve been welcome if it ushered in a pros-and-cons discussion about which would make the better Bachelor.

4. A verbal spat we could actually believe

Follow any of these fellas on social media, and you can tell they’re all buds. Then all these confrontations had to be producer-provoked, right? And it seemed every time one of them got revved up to really start something they backed down as soon as another stepped in to defend Kaitlyn’s honor. Can’t we all just not get along?

5. Say something, Tony

What a wasted opportunity! Tony sat quietly in the back row all evening as we kept waiting for the bonsai papa to say his piece… but nothing. We can only hope that this is because he will be receiving his own spin-off in the near future.

6. The guys’ take on the Shawn/Nick feud

Yes, we cringed for the brief second that Shawn and Nick were mentioned during this episode, and not having them there was the break we needed before we suffer through three hours of heated stares and pointed conversations next week. But we did find it odd that their feud was never addressed. And we would’ve loved to get some inside information on what happened between the two while the cameras were off. Like, maybe they’re secretly the best of friends… or not.

7. That Corey never existed

Perhaps that’s a bit harsh. But you were on this show for like one episode, Corey. (Excuse us if you stuck around longer because we can’t seem to remember.) Anyway, you have zero perspective here, so we’re going to need you to shush now, okay?

8. More behind the scenes secrets

Ben H. provided some quite valuable insight on favoritism within the show when he shared that Shawn was in a king bed while he slept in a cot, not to mention the juicy details he gave us about Kaitlyn sneaking away from her handlers. We loved that Ben was keeping it real, but we want more!

9. Two full hours of Amy Schumer

The bloopers at the end of the episode that allowed us to revisit Amy Schumer’s cut-too-short time on this season were without a doubt the highlight of our night. We gladly would’ve sat through two hours of her jokes if it meant those boring ‘ole boys stayed home.

10. A better Bachelor in Paradise preview

The snippets of Paradise teasers we saw on commercial breaks were just not enough. So we were left wondering why ABC didn’t take the opportunity to really promote their fun-in-the-sun, I-can-date-a-lot-of-people-at-the-same-time-too series with an extended preview during the show.

11. Kaitlyn standing up for herself instead of Chris Harrison having to do it for her

Some people are applauding the show’s willingness to call out Kaitlyn’s cyberbullies on air. But this segment went a little too far in some ways. First of all, reading cruel tweets and making Kaitlyn cry about them all over again was a bit much. If you’re on Twitter or keep up with Bachelor Nation even in the slightest, you’ve likely already seen messages like these plastered all over the Internet. But what really stung is that the show felt the need to have Chris Harrison defend Kaitlyn, as if she couldn’t handle that herself.

What were you hoping to see on the Men Tell All, collegiettes?

It happens to the best of us. We all have that one friend, co-worker, classmate, etc. that we always had a little chemistry with, but never imagined something happening between the two of you. And then, one night, (maybe with some alcohol involved) you hook up. Now what? Here’s how to deal with awkwardness from each kind of hook-up.

1.The Good Friend

The scenario: We all know how it goes. You hooked up with friend who you kind of always thought was cute, and while it was fun, you’re not sure where you stand.

The awkwardness: You don’t know how to act around one another due to the relationship being changed.

How to deal: Try acting casual and address it! Friends tend to hook up with one another due to mutual attraction and spending time around one another a lot; it happens to the best of us. But don’t forget you were friends first! According to Relationship Expert Jasbina Ahluwalia, Matchmaker and the Founder of Intersections Match by Jasbina, try to remember that “you're an empowered woman - it's only awkward if you make it so!” Pull your friend aside and have a chat about what happened and if there are any feelings other than friendship between the two of you!

2. The In-Class Attraction

The scenario: You run into the cutie who sits next to you in your British Lit class at the bar Friday night and started flirting, which led to going home with him or her.

The awkwardness: How can you possibly talk to them and casually sit next to him or her while learning about Shakespeare?

How to deal: Ahluwalia says, “Inner game is crucial to defusing awkwardness: Often our feelings of awkwardness are due to feeling self-conscious, perhaps seeing him reminds us of rejection (i.e. his failing to call or pursue us after the hook-up). So when you cross paths with your hook-up, smile, wave, acknowledge them, give a quick hello - don't avoid eye contact or ignore them. Remember, you're an empowered woman - it's only awkward if you make it so.” Sounds like some solid advice to us!

3. The Time Two Interns Were Attracted to Each Other

The awkwardness: How can you work with the person you stared at longingly every day, but never thought there’d be mutual attraction? And then one night you hook up and don’t know how to face him or her!

How to deal: “If your hook-up is a friend or co-worker, talk about expectations afterwards - are you both on the same page regarding whether the hook-up was a one-time thing, or the possible beginning of a relationship?” says Ahluwalia. “Talking it through together (without defensiveness or drama) sets expectations and minimizes awkwardness going forward when you both know what to expect. Clearing the air in this way will likely make it easier to resume your friendship or co-worker relationship.” Pull him aside one day in the break room and just ask what happens next!

4. The Dorm Floor Inbreeding

The scenario: The gorgeous floormate you met while moving in on your first day of college has finally knocked on your door for some Netflix and maybe something else.

The awkwardness: How can you go to floor meetings or do laundry without an awkward run-in?

How to deal: When these types of situations occur, usually it’s the girl who is embarrassed for what the other people in the building will think of her for having Joe Smith creep out of her room in the morning. But, embrace your sexuality! Dr. Ramani Durvsalua says for these particular situations  that “we live in a culture that expects women to be sexual creatures, sexualizes them, and then shames them when they have sex.  Don't allow that culture of shame impact your behavior after a hook-up happens.” Embrace your sexuality and put that scarlet letter awawy! We can assure you, the next time you cross paths in the elevator it won’t be as bad as you think!

5. The Frat Bro Hook-up

The scenario: You go to a big Greek school where frat parties are the places to be come Friday night. We all know there are different kinds of frat boys, but that one Friday night came where you hooked up with a brother.

The awkwardness: That one cute frat guy you always eyed up finally talked to you, but now you aren’t sure how to go about going to the frat you go to all of the time, and even have friends in, again, after hooking up with him! Will he remember you? Will he say hi? Should you? The questions can go on and on!

How to deal: According to Dr. Durvasula, just accept what happened and move on!  “Hold your head high, be warm and comfortable, and as it is quite possible that he may also feel a bit awkward, your comfortable stance can also help defuse the situation.  Also - imagine 10 years down the road, by then it will be a quaint and faded memory, that kind of visualization can also defuse it and turn it into something less "unseemly" and something that just happened.” The next time you stroll into that frat basement, hold your head high and just pretend no one saw you make out with an almost stranger for 30 minutes!

6. The Boss Awkwardness

The scenario: You’re a camp counselor every summer and your shift leader, who happens to be a college senior, has started to eye you up. You hook up one night, but he’s kind of your boss.

The awkwardness: How can you handle looking at the person who is supposed to tell you what to do after you’ve hooked up?

How to deal: Actually, this time, you both were in the wrong. Awkwardness like this happens when you did something you weren’t quite supposed to! Dr. Carole Lieberman’s advice, a Beverly Hills psychiatrist and author, for the awkward situations after hook ups with people you come across afterwards is to “avoid hooking up with them in the first place. It’s awkward because you either feel ashamed because you know it was all just a lie, you really didn’t have feelings for him, or you feel disappointed that he never called. And you feel sad that you don’t have someone more meaningful in your life to have sex with.” But, never fear! Her advice on such a crime of passion is simple: “When you see him again, smile and be friendly, but not seductive.” He’s your boss, after all, so try to be as casual as possible without any confrontation!

We all deal with awkward stages after hook ups. It’s hard to avoid feeling weird around that guy or girl at work you always joked around with, but never imagined anything would happen with. How to make things not awkward is up to you and how you handle them. And just remember, it takes two to tango, so odds are you aren’t the only one wanting the awkwardness to go away! If Elle Woods can graduate law school, you can talk to your hook-up! 

If Picasso and Emily Dickinson had a daughter, maybe she’d be something like Aria Montgomery because this girl seriously has more creative bones in her body than we ever thought possible. She’s definitely the most reserved of all the liars. Then again, maybe it’s for the best, considering her writing, photography and fashion choices are as loud as ever (remind us later to contact her for notes on mixing prints)! It’s safe to say Aria probably doesn’t belong in this era or dimension. 

Sure, every friend group relies on powerhouses like the genius that is Spencer Hastings and the queen bee that is Alison DiLaurentis. But a clique couldn’t survive without someone as adorable as Aria to combat all of the tension. If you’ve considered accessorizing with silverware and you’re an old soul trapped inside of a teenage girl’s body, you just may be the Aria Montgomery of your friend group. Pay close attention to these 24 tell tale signs and you’ll know for sure!

1. You and ONLY you could pull off your style!

Please do enlighten us on your oh so fabulous ways! 

2. You have an appreciation for the arts.

3. You’re very protective of your family.

4. You’re a tad too sensitive.

You make us want to burst into tears everytime! 

5. You’re well-versed in literature so you know what’s good and what’s trash.

6. You're a hopeless romantic times 10!

7. And you’ve definitely had a Notebook moment once before.

Ughhh! Totes jealous!

8. Your friends can ALWAYS count on you!

9. You've been told you're an old soul. 

10. You and your mom are nearly as perfect as Lorelai and Rory.

11. You may be reserved but you’ve had the occasional outburst.

And you never disappoint when you do! 

12. You’re not afraid to hold your own in a confrontation with anyone.

13. And that goes for your friends too!

14. Every guy fawns over you even when you’re not trying! 

Your milkshake clearly brings all the boys to the yard!

15. Colorful streaks? You’ve been there, done that!

16. You’re prepared to give the occasional sass when necessary.

Z snaps for you girl! 

17. You’ve probably have had the hots for your teacher.

18. And you’ll likely be taking all your secrets to the grave!

19. You have the best facial expressions of anyone in your clique, hands down!

20. When someone hurts you it shakes you to the core.

21. But you’re always willing to forgive because you understand no one is perfect.

You're practically an angel sent to us from heaven. 

22. You can’t stand it if someone is upset with you.

23. And that’s why you’re probably the most loved of all your friends.

24. Basically, you’re the adored little kitten of the group.

#foreveradorbs

Based on Taylor’s extensive group of friends, it may seem like it’s easy to become a part of her squad. On the contrary, there are a few specific requirements you must fulfill in order to even be considered. Luckily, we’ve broken it down into 11 easy steps. Welcome to Her Campus’s comprehensive guide on how to make it into Taylor Swift’s squad.

1. Have an insane talent

Grammy Award-winning singer, Emmy Award-winning actress, Victoria’s Secret Angel, world-class tennis player… you can take your pick.

2. Be ridiculously good looking

Does Taylor even know anyone that isn’t drop-dead gorgeous?

3. …And super tall

Again, being a supermodel greatly improves your chances.

4. Look good in candid pictures

Because they’re probably going on Instagram.

5. …As well as posed ones

And be sure to like them on social media.

6. Be willing to take jumping photos on the beach

She does this a lot.

7. Don’t be afraid to dance like an idiot

Taylor is the queen of awkward dancing, remember?

8. Love cats as much as she does

But be comfortable with the fact that you will probably not love them as much as she does, and that's okay.

9. Be down to discuss the latest episode of Law & Order: SVU

And/or Grey’s Anatomy.

10. Enjoy pool parties and photo booths

Basically, just like to have fun with really cool people.

11. Love Taylor and be extremely proud of her accomplishments

Now that we can do.

Ok, so maybe our fantasy of joining Taylor Swift’s squad is a little unrealistic. But a girl can dream, right?

As you prepare to enter your freshman year of college, it might be a good idea to clear any preconceived notions that you’ve learned from movies, family members or your friends. Most of what you think you know probably isn’t true. While we had to figure out just how different our freshman year would be on our own, these experiences will be a perfect guide of what to expect—but more importantly, what myths to steer clear of.

1. The friends you make at orientation will be your BFFs all throughout college

Lindsay Fuce, a sophomore at Gordon College, thought that she’d be close with her orientation friends throughout the year, if not all of college. However, that quickly changed. “I would say by the time second semester rolls around you don't even see your orientation friends anymore!” she says.

After meeting a couple of girls that seem cool, you might be thinking, “Wow! We’re going to do everything together, I can’t wait!” While it is a great thing to meet new people right away, the ones you interact with at orientation most likely won’t become your best friends. Unless you both exchange numbers and really make an effort to hang out all the time, you’ll go your separate ways. This is because you get caught up in different classes, dorms and lives.

2. You have to get involved in a lot right away

Throughout the first couple of weeks, you’re going to be overwhelmed with the variety of different things on campus that spark your interest. While it may be tempting to join multiple clubs or throw yourself into a lot, it’s important that you don’t. Not to say that you shouldn’t get involved at all, but you shouldn’t commit to more than what you have time for.

Mollie McKinley, a junior at High Point University, learned that sitting back and weighing her options was better than committing without knowing what everything entailed. “In the words of Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, ‘Don't half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing,’” Mollie says. You’ll be glad you did.  

3. You won’t have any fun unless you join a sorority

Upon arriving for school, you might notice that a lot of girls have already moved in and made friends. This is only because most schools require those rushing a sorority in the fall to move in a week early in order to begin the process. If you decided beforehand that Greek life is not for you, then don’t second-guess that! If you are genuinely interested but missed your shot in the fall, there’s always informal recruitment in the spring!

Whether or not you’re in a sorority will not determine the amount of friends you make or fun you have. There are still plenty of opportunities to meet new people throughout the year, so don’t worry. Jane Griseham, a junior at TCU, learned this after being upset throughout the first couple of days at her school. “I genuinely thought that I wouldn’t know what parties to go to or have anyone to hang out with. I was completely wrong, it just took me a week or so to stop being ridiculous.” Myth busted!

4. Ramen will be all you eat

Why is college so often associated with ramen noodles? Yes, it’s cheap and a quick meal—but there are plenty of other options. For example, most colleges require a meal plan for freshmen living in the dorms. Dining halls have a large variety of food, including plenty of healthy options. Even if you get sick of eating there, you can still get creative with what you’re eating.

If you don’t have a meal plan and really want to stick with ramen, at least switch it up with different variations. Haley Koralek, a junior at Fort Hays State started eating like this after deciding against a meal plan. “I wanted to be able to eat well, but on a budget,” she says.

5. You’ll be lost on campus

There’s no doubt that finding your classes on campus can be difficult, but you have to remember that every other freshman is just as worried. To calm these fears, a lot of colleges place student ambassadors throughout campus to guide new students to their classes or answer any questions they might have.

Jenny Williams, a junior at the University of Central Florida, used the Maps option on her iPhone instead. “I felt kind of stupid, but I looked up the address of the building I needed to go to, plugged it in and clicked the ‘walking’ option,” she says. “I just kept doing that until I memorized everything, and it worked.”  The point is, even if you’re too shy to ask for help, there are other ways to conquer campus!

6. You can skip class all the time

Technically, you can skip class all the time -- but you shouldn’t. Yes, you finally have the freedom to do what you want, but with that, comes responsibility. It might be easy to justify skipping a lecture that doesn’t take an attendance to sleep in, but you’re only cheating yourself.

Most importantly, you’re paying for that class. If you end up failing, you can’t get that money back. Additionally, skipping one time can turn into multiple times because it’s a hard habit to break. Susette Garcia, a sophomore at Kansas State University, had an 8 a.m. class every day, meaning she was always tempted to skip. “I looked it like this: either I could skip, and waste even more time trying to get caught up, or just go and be done with it for the day,” she says. Trust us, it’s not worth it.

7. You’ll still be super close with your high school best friends

As sad as it is, you’re going to grow apart with your friends from home. You’ll all be meeting new people, so it’s natural to not talk as much as you used to. However, you can still make an effort to catch up with them and even plan a visit to their school after you’ve settled in.

Sarah Archer, a sophomore at New York University, lost touch with her friends, even with one of them attending the same school as her. “We still talked every once in awhile, but it’s a big campus and we ended up going our separate ways,” she says.

As you continue to count down the days until move-in, don’t let yourself worry about everything you think you know about college. Instead, get ready to experience everything for yourself!

When Daniel Radcliffe rapped on The Tonight Show a few months ago, it was pretty much the best thing ever. If you haven't seen it yet, you need to do that—you'll thank us later.

So when the Harry Potter actor's mad skills struck the Internet again on Saturday, we were overjoyed. Daniel and his girlfriend Erin Darke performed the most perfect rendition of The Real Slim Shady at a karaoke night in California.

This super random talent and adorable duet definitely puts Daniel and Erin (Derin? Eriel?) in the running for the cutest couple award, if you ask us. The two went public in June 2014, and have been going strong ever since. 

What should Daniel rap next, collegiettes? Maybe we can start a petition.

With a newly released single and big name BFFs (oh hey, Taylor Swift), fashion maven Selena Gomez seems has it all. So, what's next for the ex-Disney princess? How about turning 23? This July 22 marks Selena's 23rd birthday, and after years of being under the fashion spotlight Selena has become one our favorite style icons. From glam to boho to classy, Selena nails every look on the red carpet and has won a special place in our fashion obsessed hearts. Take a look at some our favorite looks she's worn that most definitely prove why Selena is a total fashion queen.

1. White Hot

Selena was looking white hot at this year's Met Gala. We're loving her Asian-inspired dress and the chic flower up-do.

2. Old School Vintage

Who knew old school uniforms could look so good? It looks like Selena took some fashion inspiration from '60s school girls on her way to the Ellen show. We’re absolutely in love with the white collar and black pumps combo. It’s a classy yet sexy take on vintage clothing.

3. Fur and Leather

Check out that head-turning coat! While we are head over heels in love over Selena’s dress, what really steals the show is her outerwear. The different textures of the coat really bring the whole outfit together and make the printed dress stand out even more. This is pattern mixing done right.

4. Back in Black

We're in love with Selena’s loose-fitted, all-black outfit, and we’re especially obsessed with her sporty shoe. No matter what time of year, black never seems to go out of style. So, take a note from Selena and try wearing head-to-toe black this summer!

5. Sweater Weather

Selena bundles up for the colder months by layering a knit cardigan over a jean jacket. While you probably aren’t anywhere close to thinking about fall, once the leaves start falling try this interesting layering technique. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the long knit scarf for an extra cool vibe.

6. Fancy Fringe

Fringed and fabulous, Selena sports a look we’re dying to steal from her. The fringe on her crop top looks amazing matched with her full body length cardigan. The two complementing lengths make her legs go on for miles.

7. Just Peachy 

We love a great jumpsuit, and this one is no exception. The jewels make everything look ultra glamorous, and that oversized, wide-legged bottom is really growing on us. We love how Selena can go from edgy to classy so effortlessly.

8. Vampy Versace

While attending the Versace show, it looked like Selena might have actually stolen the show. Showing some skin in her black bandage dress, Selena added some flare while showing off one of the hottest trends right now. Plus we’re totally digging the vampy lipstick.

9. Day to Night

Wearing boyfriend jeans can be a hard trend to pull off, but Selena once again proves her status as a fashion icon and slays it in this casual-to-classy combo. We’re thinking this would be a great day to night outfit. Just replace your pencil skirt for a pair your BF’s roughed up jeans!

As you prepare to enter your freshman year of college, it might be a good idea to clear any preconceived notions that you’ve learned from movies, family members or your friends. Most of what you think you know probably isn’t true. While we had to figure out just how different our freshman year would be on our own, these experiences will be a perfect guide of what to expect—but more importantly, what myths to steer clear of.

1. The friends you make at orientation will be your BFFs all throughout college

Lindsay Fuce, a sophomore at Gordon College, thought that she’d be close with her orientation friends throughout the year, if not all of college. However, that quickly changed. “I would say by the time second semester rolls around you don't even see your orientation friends anymore!” she says.

After meeting a couple of girls that seem cool, you might be thinking, “Wow! We’re going to do everything together, I can’t wait!” While it is a great thing to meet new people right away, the ones you interact with at orientation most likely won’t become your best friends. Unless you both exchange numbers and really make an effort to hang out all the time, you’ll go your separate ways. This is because you get caught up in different classes, dorms and lives.

2. You have to get involved in a lot right away

Throughout the first couple of weeks, you’re going to be overwhelmed with the variety of different things on campus that spark your interest. While it may be tempting to join multiple clubs or throw yourself into a lot, it’s important that you don’t. Not to say that you shouldn’t get involved at all, but you shouldn’t commit to more than what you have time for.

Mollie McKinley, a junior at High Point University, learned that sitting back and weighing her options was better than committing without knowing what everything entailed. “In the words of Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, ‘Don't half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing,’” Mollie says. You’ll be glad you did.  

3. You won’t have any fun unless you join a sorority

Upon arriving for school, you might notice that a lot of girls have already moved in and made friends. This is only because most schools require those rushing a sorority in the fall to move in a week early in order to begin the process. If you decided beforehand that Greek life is not for you, then don’t second-guess that! If you are genuinely interested but missed your shot in the fall, there’s always informal recruitment in the spring!

Whether or not you’re in a sorority will not determine the amount of friends you make or fun you have. There are still plenty of opportunities to meet new people throughout the year, so don’t worry. Jane Griseham, a junior at TCU, learned this after being upset throughout the first couple of days at her school. “I genuinely thought that I wouldn’t know what parties to go to or have anyone to hang out with. I was completely wrong, it just took me a week or so to stop being ridiculous.” Myth busted!

4. Ramen will be all you eat

Why is college so often associated with ramen noodles? Yes, it’s cheap and a quick meal—but there are plenty of other options. For example, most colleges require a meal plan for freshmen living in the dorms. Dining halls have a large variety of food, including plenty of healthy options. Even if you get sick of eating there, you can still get creative with what you’re eating.

If you don’t have a meal plan and really want to stick with ramen, at least switch it up with different variations. Haley Koralek, a junior at Fort Hays State started eating like this after deciding against a meal plan. “I wanted to be able to eat well, but on a budget,” she says.

5. You’ll be lost on campus

There’s no doubt that finding your classes on campus can be difficult, but you have to remember that every other freshman is just as worried. To calm these fears, a lot of colleges place student ambassadors throughout campus to guide new students to their classes or answer any questions they might have.

Jenny Williams, a junior at the University of Central Florida, used the Maps option on her iPhone instead. “I felt kind of stupid, but I looked up the address of the building I needed to go to, plugged it in and clicked the ‘walking’ option,” she says. “I just kept doing that until I memorized everything, and it worked.”  The point is, even if you’re too shy to ask for help, there are other ways to conquer campus!

6. You can skip class all the time

Technically, you can skip class all the time -- but you shouldn’t. Yes, you finally have the freedom to do what you want, but with that, comes responsibility. It might be easy to justify skipping a lecture that doesn’t take an attendance to sleep in, but you’re only cheating yourself.

Most importantly, you’re paying for that class. If you end up failing, you can’t get that money back. Additionally, skipping one time can turn into multiple times because it’s a hard habit to break. Susette Garcia, a sophomore at Kansas State University, had an 8 a.m. class every day, meaning she was always tempted to skip. “I looked it like this: either I could skip, and waste even more time trying to get caught up, or just go and be done with it for the day,” she says. Trust us, it’s not worth it.

7. You’ll still be super close with your high school best friends

As sad as it is, you’re going to grow apart with your friends from home. You’ll all be meeting new people, so it’s natural to not talk as much as you used to. However, you can still make an effort to catch up with them and even plan a visit to their school after you’ve settled in.

Sarah Archer, a sophomore at New York University, lost touch with her friends, even with one of them attending the same school as her. “We still talked every once in awhile, but it’s a big campus and we ended up going our separate ways,” she says.

As you continue to count down the days until move-in, don’t let yourself worry about everything you think you know about college. Instead, get ready to experience everything for yourself!

First and foremost, congratulations! You've secured a killer apartment and we're seriously impressed (and totally jealous). 

To prepare for the big move, you've purchased the cutest kitchen decor and the best of cooking supplies. Now, there's just one thing missing—the actual food! The grocery store can be a scary and overwhelming place, and with so many options, it's nearly impossible to know what to get once you get there. That's why we're removing the guesswork and equipping you with a foolproof game-plan. 

Say hello to the ultimate first apartment grocery store shopping list—complete with the most versatile of foods to ensure that you save money, avoid food boredom and never have to deal with something going stale (because you'll be using it all). Even better? We've included links to meals to help you form a unique and diversified meal plan. 

Ready to overcome that food-shopping phobia? We've broken the list down by category to ensure you aren't weaving through the aisles lost and confused, and each category is accompanied by usage or specific purchasing suggestions so you never have to wonder what to make again!

Veggies

• Spinach
• Romaine lettuce
• Onions
• Avocados
• Potatoes
• Zucchini

Essential veggies include salad ingredients, because once you've got the lettuce and spinach, you can add almost anything to them. Onions add flavor to any dish and taste great in pastas or omelets. Avocados are one of the most versatile foods out there—make a delicious guacamole, avocado-infused sandwiches or even avocado pasta sauce. Potatoes make the list because of their additional versatility. Since they come in mashed, smashed, baked and wedged varieties, there are endless easy possibilities! While zucchini may seem like a random addition, it's definitely useful. Try zucchini chips, zucchini-strand "pasta" and more, all with the ingredients found in this list!

Fruits

• Apples
• Bananas
• Tomatoes
• Dried cranberries
• Lemons and limes (or their juices)

We completely understand that you can be picky with your fruit, so feel free to swap some of these for your fruity favorites! We've suggested this list because each item is incredibly adaptable. Apples can turn into delicious and nutritious crisps and taste amazing in baked goods or dipped in peanut butter or honey. Bananas can be added to cereal, peanut butter sandwiches and smoothies, but can also be fried for an incredibly tasty treat. Tomatoes are a cooking essential for any salad or pasta dish, and lemons can add serious flavor to a basic chicken breast. Finally, dried cranberries (or another berry of your choice—dried is best because they last!) can also be added into flavorful salads or breakfast classics like cereal and granola.

Dairy

• Milk
• Cheese
• Butter 
• Ice cream

Milk, cheese, and butter can go in anything or on anything—just ask famous chef Paula Deen! And ice cream? You've earned it after a day at the grocery store, trust us.

Meats

• Chicken breast
• Ground beef
• Cold cuts
• Bacon

Chicken and beef are the most common meal meats—they're relatively easy to cook and taste good with even minimal seasoning. Cold cuts are perfect for sandwiches, antipasto salads and chef salads. You can even pan-fry them in some olive oil for a crispy addition to any omelet. Choose any cold cuts that you prefer, but remember that salamis, pepperonis and hams last much longer than chicken or turkey.

While bacon seems like an indulgence, it's really not, we promise. Bacon-ize your salads, sandwiches, pastas, veggies and more. You don't even necessarily have to touch a frying pan, as most packages come with microwave instructions, and once the bacon's cooked, you can store it for a while in the fridge. 

Grains

• Bread
• Rice
• Ramen or pasta
• Granola, oats or cereal

Breads are an absolute essential for home-made subs, toast, grilled cheese sandwiches and more. Purchase good old whole wheat bread to optimize on nutrients or expand your horizons with wraps and rolls. Also make sure to pick up some buns for hot dogs and hamburgers—you can freeze them until they need to be used! 

Rice can be flavored with any seasoning and comes in tons of variety—pair it with tacos or Asian-inspired dishes. With oil, soy sauce, honey, onions, tomatoes and eggs, you can have easy fried rice in no time! 

There are tons of mouth-watering ramen and pasta recipes out there (although you might need a few extra ingredients), and take your pick of granola, oats, or cereal for a satisfying breakfast—just add in some sugar, honey, dried berries or bananas.

Flavoring

• Sauces
• Condiments
• Spices
• Nuts

Only you know what flavors you crave, so you'll have to have a little more independence here—you can do it! Suggested sauces are hot sauce, BBQ and soy sauce—flavors that can be used in tons of dishes and mixed together for unique flavoring. Grab some mustard, ketchup, mayo, or relish—or all four! They'll add flavor to any sandwich and can even help you make salad dressings or delicious egg salads and pasta salads. 

At minimum, grab salt, pepper, cinnamon and garlic—but red pepper flakes are also awesome for dressings and sauces. It may be worth it to invest in a full pre-made spice rack, because you never know when you'll need some of the basic spices! Finally, nuts add crunch and flavor to tons of dishes and stand alone as a filling snack. Cashews, almonds and peanuts are great options.

Miscellaneous

• Eggs
• Olive and vegetable oils
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Sugar
• Flour
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Honey
• Bread crumbs

Scrambled, fried, poached, deviled, hard-boiled, omelets, egg salads... Eggs are the ultimate ingredient. Olive oils and vinegar can dress baked veggies (like those zucchini chips) and are perfect for any pan dish, salad dressing or sauce. PB&J? A meal must-have—but so are these savory jelly meatballs and this trendy Thai peanut sauce, or this satisfying protein smoothie. And of course, you can always use peanut butter as a veggie or cracker dip. Yum!

Sugar, flour and baking soda can help you with any dessert, and honey never goes bad and perfectly caramelizes onions. Finally, bread crumbs make easy peasy cutlets, add a little crunch to pasta, and can be stored forever in your pantry. Not about that additional cost? Just save any leftover stale bread and make your own bread crumbs (as well as croutons)! Talk about innovative.

Mix and match the items on this grocery list and you'll never go through a food rut. Best of all, these ingredients are all extremely easy to work with, so even if they're perishable, you'll use them up before they go rotten. After all, there's plenty to worry about before moving in—delicious, nutritious food shouldn't be one of them. Just don't forget that ice cream! 

“I just can’t drink like I did in college anymore,” said every graduette ever.

It’s true. For many of us, a year or two of living in the real world has left us with lower alcohol tolerances, rusty shot-taking skills and zero desire to get off the couch on a week night. While we apologize to our besties for being “lame grandmas,” we’re actually just normal, maturing adults. So what if we can’t drink like we did in college? That’s actually a very good thing.

We’ve graduated from mysterious fraternity jungle juice and chasing vodka (aka nail polish remover) shots with whatever we can find (read: Gatorade, water, milk). We’re ready for grown up drinks, and we’re lucky to be putting those college hangovers in the past.

Here are a few classy cocktails to get you started:

1. Sangria: because wine and fruit are soul mates

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of dry red wine
• 1 ½ cups of rum
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 orange

Directions:

1. Have the fruit, rum, wine, and orange juice well chilled.
2. Slice the lemon, lime and orange into bite-size pieces and place in a large pitcher.
3. Add the rum and sugar.
4. Chill in refrigerator for two 2 hours.
5. Lightly crush the fruit with a wooden spoon and stir in the wine and orange juice.

Close your eyes and imagine yourself on the beaches of Barcelona...

2. Mojito: for the mint lovers

Recipe courtesy of epicurious.com

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 heaping teaspoons superfine sugar
• 1 cup crushed ice
• 12 fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup white rum
• 2 tablespoons club soda

Directions:

1. Combine lime juice and sugar in a tall glass (approx. 10 fluid ounces); stir until sugar dissolves.
2. Add 1/4 cup crushed ice.
3. Rub mint leaves over rim of glass, then tear leaves in half and add to glass.
4. Add rum, remaining crushed ice, and club soda.
5. Stir gently.

Approach cute guy across the bar with your newfound confidence and minty fresh smile.

3. Old Fashioned: to feel like you're on Mad Men

Recipe courtesy of liquor.com 

Ingredients:

• 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 orange slices
• 2 cherries
• 1 splash Club soda
• 2 ounces Bourbon

Directions:

1. Mix the bitters, sugar, orange wheel, cherry and a splash of soda in a rocks glass (short glass).
2. Remove the orange rind.
3. Add the bourbon.
4. Fill with ice.
5. Garnish with a fresh orange wheel and cherry.

Master this drink and you’re well on your way to being the next Don Draper.

4. Dirty Martini: because it sounds so classy

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com 

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces vodka
• 1 dash dry vermouth
• 1 ounce brine from olive jar
• 4 stuffed green olives

Directions:

1. In a mixing glass, combine vodka, dry vermouth, brine and olives.
2. Pour over ice into a martini glass.

It's impossible not to feel cool with one of these bad boys in your hand.

5. Cosmo: channel your inner SJP

Recipe courtesy of Jo Lynne Shane 

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces citron vodka
• 1 1/2 ounces triple sec or Cointreau
• 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
• 1 lime
• Ice

Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice.
3. Squeeze in lime juice.
4. Shake and pour.

Sarah Jessica Parker knew what she was doing! Don’t forget to wear something fabulous.

6. Margarita: to complement your guac obsession

Recipe courtesy of Chow 

Ingredients:

• Salt, for rimming the glass
• Ice
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau

Directions:

1. Place salt in a shallow dish.
2. Moisten the rim of a rocks glass with a dampened paper towel, then dip in salt.
3. Fill the glass with ice.
4. Add tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau.
5. Stir until chilled.

Put on your salsa dancing shoes and you’ll be feeling hot, hot, hot!

7. Moscow Mule: gotta love ginger beer

Recipe courtesy of A Beautiful Mess 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka
• Ginger Beer
• Juice from half of a lime
• Ice

Directions:

1. In a tall glass with ice, combine vodka and lime juice.
2. Top off with ginger beer.

And if you really want to feel fancy, serve in a copper mug. 

8. Tom Collins: a vintage classic

Recipe courtesy of Chow

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
• 4 ounces club soda, chilled
• 1 thin lemon slice, for garnishing

Directions:

1. Drop a handful of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and add the gin, lemon juice, and sugar.
2. Shake until cold, about 15 seconds.
3. Pour into a chilled Collins glass filled with ice cubes.

Your dad will be totally impressed. Either that or he'll cry that his "baby girl is all grown up."

9. Gimlet: because it's so refreshing

Recipe courtesy of The Food Network 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
• 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• Cucumber wheel or lime wedge, for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the gin, lime juice and simple syrup.
2. Stir vigorously with a long cocktail spoon until very cold.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass, or strain over a rocks glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with the cucumber wheel and serve immediately.

Kick up your heels and sip slowly—they pack a punch!

Get familiar with these delicious recipes and you’ll never miss your college drinking days again. Bottoms up!

Celebrity Smackdown! The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards nominees were released on Tuesday, July 21, however it seems the entertainment industry isn't quite celebrating. Moments after the nomination list was made public, Twitter erupted into a series of celebrity feuds. In case you haven't had time in the last 24 hours to stalk your favorite celebs' social media feeds to see who's weighing in on the drama, we've got you covered. Here's what happened:

Nicki Minaj expressed disappointment that her videos "Anaconda" and "Feeling Myself" weren't nominated for Video of the Year, the shows biggest award. She took her frustrations, and feelings of racism and body-shaming from MTV, to Twitter and Instagram.

In defense of the "Anaconda" video's unique choreography and cultual impact, Minaj referenced a viral parody that Ellen Degeneres did of the video earlier this year.

Taylor Swift, who is nominated for nine VMAs this year, responded to the rapper, letting her know that she felt that Minaj's tweets "pit women against each other." Although Swift's tweets have since been deleted, they were up long enough to get a response from the "Super Bass" performer and millions of fans watching the drama play out.

While Drake has yet to respond, celebrities (and fans) (and everyone else) are waiting to see how the rapper responds

While others, like Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran, just want to get in on the action.

We'll keep you updated as this story progresses. We're not sure how all of these feuds will end, but with all of these stars together under one roof with Miley Cyrus hosting, we're sure it'll be a show we can't miss.

Break out the suitcases because it’s back-to-school season, collegiettes! The start of a new year can be hectic. Between buying school supplies, registering for classes and setting up a new apartment, it’s easy to get stressed, but relax! Her Campus has you covered with some back-to-school hacks that will ensure you’re ready for the year ahead. Whether you’re a senior or about to start your freshman year of college, here are seven fool-proof ways to make sure you kick off the semester the right way! 

1. Create your own planner 

If you take only one thing away from this list, make it this one. Getting a planner is the best thing you can do to keep yourself on track. Get in the habit of writing down everything — from orientation events to exams to parties. While some pre-designed planners can be pricey, rest assured that it’s possible to create a super-stylish planner and save some money! We love this unique binder from Office Depot!

By adding the black and gold inserts, you can totally customize it into a planner — keeping your notes and to-do lists all in one place, but organized and divided exactly how you like it. Talk about budget-savvy!  

2. Set up an organization system

If you’re a senior, this is old news; freshmen, take note: There is nothing worse than desperately looking for a notebook (that contains today’s homework!) in a mountain of school supplies with only five minutes ‘til class time. Here’s a better way: color code! Choose a color for each of your classes and then coordinate: red folders and red notebooks for chemistry, for example. Then, instead of rummaging through a pile of notebooks, grab everything red in sight and head to lab! Office Depot’s newest collection of back-to-school must haves makes it easy with its huge assortment of folders, binders and notebooks in lots of fun, bright colors. 

3. Buy a coffee maker

We know, we know: It’s simply more fun going to the campus coffee shop for your morning latte. The money adds up fast, though — especially for something you could be home-brewing for a fraction of the cost. Consider buying a coffee maker for your dorm room or apartment (plus a stylish to-go cup for your morning java). You’ll save a ton of money over the year! The same goes for your tea addiction, collegiettes!

4. Pack lunch

It’s no secret that eating on the go isn’t exactly the most cost-effective option. While it’s tempting to splurge for a salad at the cafe between classes, packing lunch will save you a ton of money in the long run, especially if you live off-campus with no meal plan. And yes — we know what you’re thinking; no one wants to walk around campus with a geeky brown paper lunch bag! May we suggest a cooler alternative like this lunch cube from Office Depot? 

Spill proof? Check. Keep your food from getting squished? Check. Show off your personality? Check! 

5. Rent your textbooks 

Renting your textbooks instead of buying them is a great way to save money — and trust us, you’re not going to want that heavy calculus book sitting around next year anyway. Most campus bookstores have renting options, and many (though, double-check first) even allow you to use a highlighter right on the book’s pages. Make studying easier with a Sharpie Clear View^® highlighter; the clear tip will make sure you know exactly what you’re highlighting (and exactly what to cram before the test!) 

6. Set up a great desk

 Yes, it’s the beginning of the school year, but the campus library can fill up fast. In case you prefer a quieter (and cuter) study space, having a perfectly organized desk at home ensures that you’ll get the work done. Organize your color-coded notebooks, folders and binders, and then insert some personality with fun supplies like Office Depot’s Post-it^® golden apple sticky note dispenser. We promise that setting up a well-curated (and food-themed) study space in advance of hectic deadlines will make your school year go by smoothly!

7. Take advantage of the campus gym  

Sick of your usual running route and looking for something new to do? Your on-campus recreation center probably has a ton of great (free) activities and classes for students. Yoga, cardio kickboxing, swim lessons, you name it — the rec center’s got it, and trust us, you’re going to want to get out of the library every once in a while! Whether you’re an athlete or just into casual exercise, make the gym more fun by bringing a friend or two along. And don’t forget to write it in your planner! 

While college itself is no breeze, by taking these easy and fun steps, you’ll rock your school year! Happy Back-to-School, collegiettes! 

If you dump out your makeup bag, you’ll probably find the basics: eyeliner, lip balm, bronzer and mascara. But what about a compact mirror or eyelash curler? There are tons of beauty tools that can make our daily routines so much easier, but we always forget about them. Here are the seven best beauty tools you definitely need!

1. Cosmetic pencil sharpener (with various sizes)

It’s harder to apply eyeliner when your pencils are dull. That’s where this double-bladed pencil sharpener ($2.50) comes in handy! With two sizes, you can sharpen any size eyeliner pencil on the go. After a few uses, open up the sharpener to clean out all the shavings.

2. Brush cleanser

We use our makeup brushes every day but often forget to clean them. With the buildup of makeup comes the accumulation of bacteria as well. We love Clinique’s Makeup Brush Cleanser ($15) to keep our brushes clean. If used monthly, the cleanser can help make your brushes last longer. Plus it’ll get rid of that yucky makeup residue!

3. Compact mirror

Perfect for fixing your red lipstick on the go, compact mirrors can be lifesavers. Now you don’t have to pretend to take a selfie to check if there’s something in your teeth or find a store window to fix your mascara! This pretty compact mirror from Sephora ($12) has two mirrors: One has 2x magnification (perfect for eyebrow plucking), and the other will give you a true-to-life image.

4. Tweezers/eyebrow brush

Make sure your eyebrows stay on #fleek between waxes with some good brow tools! Every girl needs a solid pair of tweezers, so try this pretty pink one from Tweezerman ($23). It’s designed to have a 25 degree slant, which will give you the best accuracy and precision. After you’re done tweezing, further fix your brows with an eyebrow brush. We recommend this double-ended brush from MAKE UP FOR EVER ($28), perfect for filling in and shaping your brows!

5. Nail buffer

You might have a few nail files lying around, but now you can get a salon-worthy manicure at home with this nail buffer block ($6). Each side has a different texture to file, buff, polish and shine your nails. It’s a quick and easy step before you apply polish.

6. Fake lash applicator

Fake lashes can be a pain to put on (especially trying to make them straight). But with a faux lash applicator, you’ll have natural looking lashes in no time! We recommend Sephora’s Bulls Eye Lash Applicator ($12), ideal for beginners who are new to the fake lash game.

7. Eyelash curler

On the other hand, if you want to rock your natural lashes, significantly lengthen and separate them with a good eyelash curler. Check out the Show Curl Lash Curler from Sephora ($17). It’s great for any eye shape and guarantees not to crease or tug your lashes. Add some mascara and bat those beautiful eyes.

Which beauty tool are you excited to use, collegiettes? 

It’s easier to be motivated to stay fit when the sun is up, your bikini is in use, and you have more time to devote to working out. But as much as you hope to keep your healthy habits and fitness routines in place during the school year, let’s face it: classes and homework take up time, parties serve too much temptation and the stress can make you throw all your hard work out the window. Still, it’s not impossible to stay on track! We talked to collegiettes to see how they maintain their motivation throughout the school year.

Find Fitspiration

One of the best ways to keepmotivated is to expose yourself to inspiration that encourages you to live healthy year-round.

“Throughout freshman year, I struggled to remain motivated with maintaining my healthy diet — late-night snacking and tasting desserts at school were huge temptations that all my workouts couldn't cancel out,” says Kaitlin McCabe, a student at Hamilton College.

Kaitlin started to follow what are called “Fitblrs” on Tumblr: Tumblr pages with photos, quotes, and articles that are intended to motivate you to keep your fitness on track. “Every morning and whenever I felt weakness coming on, I would check out all the fitspo [fitspiration], from healthy recipes to workout tips to motivational images,” she says. “It was a great way to remind me of my fitness and nutritional goals. I now have my own Fitblr to help others with their health journeys.”

You could also find a healthy living or fitness blog to follow, such as Carrots ‘N’ Cake,Eating Bird Food or Fit Bottomed Girls, to get tips, recipes and encouragement.

Another way to get fitspiration all year long is to subscribe to a monthly fitness magazine or visit their website for articles on workout and meal ideas. You can even make a collage out of images that will motivate you and put it in your agenda or on your wall. Look at fitspiration boards on Pinterest, or make your own.

CAUTION: Fitspiration is not thinspiration! The focus should be on health and fitness, not thinness. It can get easy to get carried away, and you may come across some sites that promote unhealthy and unrealistic expectations, which can turn dangerous quickly. Stick to sites and blogs that focus on nutrition, exercise and health as opposed to diets and being skinny. Inspirational quotes, recipes, and workouts make for good fitspo, whereas pictures of models and unrealistic bodies do not.

Make Exercise a Priority

When classes get busy and the stress of college life gets overwhelming, it’s easy to push exercise routines down on your list of priorities. But just like brushing your teeth is essential to your health, so is exercise.

Hillary Coombs, a senior at Bryant University, makes a point to fit workouts into her schedule. “Every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 a.m., I go to yoga,” she says. “I have literally built it into my schedule as a necessity.”

Sign up for fun group exercises classes at your school’s gym that are more likely to get you excited about working up a sweat. Another way to keep yourself motivated to stay fit is to sign up for arace, like Hillary does regularly. “I sign up for 5Ks (and a half marathon this year) throughout the year to keep me training,” she says. Knowing that you’re working toward a big event is a great motivator to keep fit.

Track Your Food and Exercise

An easy way to stay motivated to eat healthy is to keep track of the food you’re eating. This will not only allow you to see how much and what you’re eating, but it will also keep you accountable. An app that Kaitlin uses to track her nutrition is MyFitnessPal. The app lets you track your nutrition as well as your exercise.

“[It] definitely keeps me from cheating throughout the day — by logging what I eat and how much I exercise, I stay honest to myself,” says Kaitlin. “ It's also great because it tells me the proper serving size for each food I consume, and I can track my progress!”

Mary Reischmann, a collegiette from Washington University in St. Louis, uses the USDA SuperTrack app, which works in a similar way. “It’s not super glam, but it’s really easy to use and it compliments you whenever you get closer to your goal weight,” she says. “Definitely worth checking out!”

There are many more apps out there that serve the same purpose. Check out our list offitness and health apps!

Get a Fitness Buddy

It’s hard to keep up motivation on your own, so call a friend who shares your desire to stay fit throughout the year. When you have a partner in crime, you can encourage each other and hold each other accountable.

“My housemates and I all dive in together in the beginning of the year,” Hillary says. “We plop a scale in the bathroom, leave notes for each other on mirrors and take turns cooking healthy meals together.”

Encouragement is great, but a little healthy competition can be a good motivator, too! Patricia Loo, a recent grad of the University of Western Ontario, made a bet with her friend to get a six-pack by the end of the year. “The bet was that if I did win, then he would buy me a nice dinner, but if I failed then I owed him a nice dinner,” she says. “I didn't end up winning the bet in the end, but it did motivate me to go to the gym more often.”

Even if you don’t win the competition, you still get the benefits of having stuck to a healthy plan! Just make sure not to let your competitive side take it too far. At the end of the day, everyone’s body is different, so you may get different results than your friends when doing a competition like Patricia’s. Keep the competition positive by encouraging your competitor, no matter what the results are. You don’t want the competition to lead you to do anything that jeopardizes your health or sanity.

Write Down the Benefits of Being Healthy

We know there are many benefits to eating right and exercising. But when you’re contemplating stress eating or are tempted to skip your workout in favor of a nap, those benefits are probably the last thing on your mind. So, it’s important to remind yourself of what you’ll gain from making healthy choices.

“If you make a list of all the great things staying healthy does for you, like your mental health, it makes [a healthier lifestyle] a lot easier to stick with it,” says Hillary. “For me, it helps me relieve stress, so it is kind of a must for me.”

You know how you don’t feel like going to the gym, but once you finish your workout you feel amazing? Try to record that feeling on paper or as a note in your phone so you can remember what it’s like. Whenever you feel you’re lacking motivation, remind yourself of how your post-workout endorphins made you feel. Use those fitblrs and Pinterest boards to remind yourself as well.

Having these benefits written in front of you will help remind you why you don’t want to throw away all the hard work you put into maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the summer. Some of the benefits you can write are how it helps reduce stress, makes you feel more confident and gives you more energy.

It can be hard to adjust from being a super-motivated collegiette in the summer to dealing with the stresses of school and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the fall. But with these tips, it will be a little easier! Even if you end up slipping up every now and then, don’t beat yourself up about it — it’s not the end of the world!

What are ways that you keep yourself motivated throughout the year? Let us know in the comments.

Whether or not you're in high school or college, we often wonder how that mathematic equation will help us in the long run, or if it’s really necessary to write dozens of papers on how the brain works. But, as it turns out, the power of knowledge may just save our lives.

USA Today College reports the scientific journal PLOS ONE recently published a study proving that those with a higher education live longer than those without. It also found that not achieving a high level of education could be just as harmful to one’s health as smoking cigarettes.

The study, called “Mortality Attributable to Low Levels of Education in the United States,” received data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the American Community Study (ACS).

Patrick Krueger, an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Colorado-Denver’s Anschutz Medical Campus and a member of the research faculty at the Institute of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Colorado-Boulder said education was the best component to compare with mortality, because of its consistency over time. “Education has received renewed attention by researchers, because it endures throughout the life course and is amenable to policy intervention,” Krueger said in an email to USA Today. “Annual income can change a lot from year to year. Although most individuals support policies to improve schools and to make education more accessible, changing the distribution of income and wealth is more controversial.”

As we all know, education impacts several other aspects of our lives—a fact not lost on Virginia Chang, an associate professor of public health at New York University and of population health at NYU School of Medicine. “[Education] also affects your social network, your access to information, your ability to understand information,” Chang told USA Today. “People with higher education feel like they have more agency and self-efficacy; they have more cognitive skills to manage any sort of complicated situation, to navigate the health care system; they have more social support.”

The study was organized into three groups: those who received a high school diploma versus those who didn’t; those with a bachelor degree against those with some college education; and, those with a bachelor degree versus those who achieved less than a bachelor degree. Conducted from 1986 to 2004, the researchers used more than a million participants from ages 25 to 85 to find data. The mortality and death data was collected through the Linked Mortality File and the National Death Index.

Studies found that failing high school had the same effect on mortality as smoking. “We found that over 145,000 lives could be saved if all of the adults aged 25 to 85 who don’t have a high school degree, went on to get a high school degree or equivalent,” Krueger said. “That alone accounts for about 10% of all deaths in the U.S. each year.” However, researchers explained that specific aspects could account for discrepancies, such as one’s environment, in the number of deaths. Furthermore, they found that 110, 068 deaths could have been avoided if those who went to college finished school.

However, the gap between mortality and education could be due to new health benefits. “The gap between different levels of education is increasing because as we make progress in certain health areas, such as with cardiovascular disease, people with more education tend to get those benefits first,” Chang said.

“I think with education policy, they should really think about the health benefits in addition to the usual reasons we advocate for education,” said Chang, as she and Kruger both think their study should impact education and public health policies. “Improving education would impact health widely, by resulting in healthier behaviors, higher incomes, stronger cognitive development and more vibrant social connects and psychosocial resources.”

Most of us not only frequently shop at Target but also really like the store for its unique selection, trendy clothes and general awesome atmosphere (making it almost seem human for a chain department store). That's why we were so shocked and dismayed to hear about a graphic tee Target is selling that has now come under serious fire. A woman in Milwaukee recently started a petition on Change.org asking Target to ban the sale of this T-shirt for women which references the common, yet demeaning, term "trophy wife."

While some see it as innocuous (Hey, guys call their wives 'trophies' all the time, right?), most argue that the T-shirt instead promotes the age old misogynistic idea that women are merely objects or 'trophies' for male sexual pleasure and nothing more. Amanda R., the woman who began the petition, wrote that labeling any person as a "Trophy" is demeaning their humanity and objectifying them as a tangible object that can be bought, used and disposed of." She argued that "millions of women and young girls are taken as "trophies" every year in war, sex trafficking, slavery and rape. The perpetrators see women as "things" that are bought, sold, traded and 'won' through force where they are then beaten, abused, tortured, raped and murdered for the sole purpose of 'victory.'" 

The petition is gaining momentum, with well over 11,000 signatures (although 3,000 more are still needed to reach their goal). The more disturbing fact of this saga perhaps is that this isn't the first time Target has been accused of sexist acts. In June, an Ohio mom accused Target via Twitter of promoting sexist values when she saw that in stores there were differentiating signs for "Building sets" and "Girls' Building sets." The most unfortunate thing perhaps is that in both of these cases not only has Target refused to take any action to remedy the situation, but they failed to even apologize for the harmful stereotypes they helped propagate. In both times, Target issued statements trying to justify their actions, rather than accept their faults. For the most recent transgression, they said (and we quote): "These shirts are intended as a fun wink and we have received an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests."

It might be difficult to believe that such blatant examples of male chauvinism are readily on display at major retailers, but we hope that this will be an eye opener to critics who claim that feminism is "unnecessary" and that America has reached gender equality. We encourage you to sign the petition and send a message to Target that we won't stand for sexual objectification! 

In Trainwreck, the movie loosely based on her life, Amy Schumer is perfection. But the actress is just as hilarious IRL and in her show Inside Amy Schumer. Here are 9 times Amy proved she was in fact our spirit animal.

1. When she was a die-hard sports fan

2. When she was all of us on a dateless Friday night...

...and after a really rough week

3. When she was the image of maturity

We don't want to grow up either, Amy.

4. When she imagined the worst thing that could possibly happen to someone

And it was terrifying.

5. When she understood the struggle

6. When she was our kind of fashion girl

Yeah, pretty much.

7. When this happened

SELFIES ARE HARD OKAY

8. When she flaunted dem moves

9. When she was so much more than just a funny lady...

...and used humor to point out actual serious issues

We are NOT cool with the gender wage gap.

Seriously, how? Keep doing you, Amy!

McDonald's is definitely one of the most popular fast-food restaurants that has been around from when we were so excited as kids to get a toy in our Happy Meal to when we transitioned to adults and dared to try the Big Mac. And, just when we thought we had become a professional taste tester for almost everything on their menu, it turns out that there is a lot more Ronald McDonald was not telling us.

According to Glamour, there is a whole menu of secret items that include a “Two Cheeseburger Meal”, a “McGangBang” (a McChicken sandwiched in-between a McDouble), a “McKinley Mac” (quarter pound-sized Big Macs), a “Pie McFlurry” (an apple pie blended into a McFlurry). After being "alleged" by BuzzFeed in 2013, this secret menu was finally confirmed by an anonymous McDonald’s manager on Reddit, who allowed users to question him about anything Mickey D’s-related, on their AMA (ask-me-anything) forum.

“The items on the 'secret menu' weren't invented by anyone officially at McDonald's, it's just a random person's guide to burgers you could potentially 'hack' at McDonald's,” says the manager on Reddit. Furthermore, customers may order from the secret menu, choosing to remove or add any item of their preference, as one would with any regular McDonald’s item called a grill order. “Order one and the workers might not know it by name (i.e. Land, Air and Sea burger or the McGangBang) but if you explain what it is, and are willing to pay for all the ingredients, it's just another 'grill order' that we can make up.”

Glamour also reports that food chains have secret menus, some not as hidden and some not known to the public. Burger chain In N Out Burger has their “Not-So-Secret Menu” displayed right on their website that even includes Protein® Style, where burgers are wrapped in lettuce, instead of a bun. Chipotle, in addition to being a served at this year’s Her Conference, has a hidden menu item called the Burritodilla, a Chipotle cheese burrito grilled like a quesadilla.

Another collegiette favorite, Taco Bell has the quite popular Cheesarito, a tortilla filled with melted cheese, sauce and scallions. Finally, a regular for everyone, Starbucks has quite a few secrets: two secret sizes, “small” and “trenta” (larger than a “venti”), codenames for extra espresso shots (red eye = one shot, black eye = two, green eye = three), and Starbucks’ "Liquid Cocaine" made of four espresso shots, four pumps of white chocolate, syrup, milk and ice.

Wow, all this food revealed in so little time.

We’ve heard it time and time again: leggings are not acceptable adult wear. But if that were true, then wouldn’t celebrities stick to that rule? They are our ever-so-reliable street style role models, after all. Seeing as they don’t take that responsibility lightly, we’ve rounded up 9 looks to put this argument to rest. Below, you’ll find celebs who have worn leggings in public and looked good doing it!

1. Gigi Hadid

Gigi has perfected that special mix of casual and put-together chic. We can totally see ourselves wearing this during the first week of classes.

2. Julianne Hough

Leather gives your leggings a style upgrade, as Julianne so flawlessly shows. There’s nothing slouchy about this office-ready ensemble.

3. Kristin Cavallari

Long sweaters and leggings go together like PB&J. Adding the leather tote and booties takes this outfit from the couch to the world outside the four walls of your apartment.

4. Kendall Jenner

You could wear a long tee over your favorite pair of stretchy leggings, but Kendall’s crop top makes them unexpectedly cool. The slivers of skin around her ankles and midsection elevate her look completely.

5. Jessica Alba

When we’re feeling a little snazzier, we have to ditch the solids and go for a printed pair like Jessica’s. Her coordination of the tailored jacket and red hot booties with the colors found in the print clearly display her style expertise.

6. Lauren Conrad

Why not go full-on sporty the next time you’re headed to the big game? LC’s jersey, ball cap, and sneaks are just right for trying out the one-of-the-guys trend.

7. Cara Delevingne

Note to self: an all-black ensemble that mimics Grease’s Sandy works in any setting. Cara proves that sometimes style can be found in simplicity.

8. Selena Gomez

You won’t find a messy bun and gym bag when Selena’s out in her leggings. And just tying a knot at the waist of her skin-tight top erases any possibility of boredom with this easy-to-copy outfit.

9. Blake Lively

Blake can do no wrong. Granted, this was for a high-fashion photo shoot, but the next time someone tells you leggings look lazy, pull this out for ultimate shock factor.

Which of these celebrity looks is your favorite, collegiettes? 

You’ve researched countless destinations and programs, discussed the pros and cons, gotten parental and adviser approval and are finally all set to study abroad––woo-hoo! The only question left now is what you’ll do about that boyfriend who won’t exactly fit in your suitcase. We’ve got you covered with tips on how to decide whether or not you want to keep things going with your guy, as well as advice on how to make it work when you spend time abroad if you do decide to stay together.

Before You Go

Have the DTR talk early

Once you have your study abroad plans set, settle on a time to sit down with your boyfriend and talk about whether or not the two of you want to make a long distance-relationship work. Megan*, a senior from the College of William & Mary, recently spent a semester in Paris away from her boyfriend. “With the date of my study abroad departure looming, [my boyfriend and I] were both a little afraid to bring up the conversation of the future,” she says.

Fear aside, waiting until your last night together to figure out what the two of you will do when you’re abroad? Probably not the smartest move.

“We started talking about it as soon as we both realized we were both going to go abroad to different places,” says Brooke, a rising senior from Northeastern University who is getting ready to study abroad in Spain. “This was maybe five to six months before going abroad. It's important not to wait too long because it will just make things more difficult.”

Cover all the bases

Not sure what to talk about? Dr. D Ivan Young, a relationship coach, provides several suggestions for collegiettes getting ready to leave their boyfriends and study abroad. “You definitely need to have a discussion about ground rules,” he says. “Otherwise, don’t be surprised when someone does something that surprises you.” Bring up various changes and expectations you have concerning study abroad, and how you feel those will affect your relationship.

Discuss what’s going well that would make maintaining a relationship abroad worth the extra effort, as well as what could be challenging or worrisome during your time away from campus. If you’re already on solid ground, this may be an easy conversation.

“We both pretty much assumed we would be staying together and then we briefly talked about it to make sure we were on the same page,” Brooke explains. “The only factor we really weighed was whether or not we saw ourselves together after we went abroad. The answer for both of us was yes.”

How much or how little you’re willing to keep in touch with each other could make the decision on whether or not you want to stay together (or stay exclusive) easier as well. “You also have to be thinking about what you want from your trip, regardless of what you want from your relationship,” says Elizabeth, a recent graduate of the College of William & Mary who has left boyfriends back home during several trips abroad. “If you plan to immerse yourself in this new place and be constantly on the move, it might not be fair to ask someone to stay in a relationship with you, unless you really are going to commit to writing/emailing/texting/Skyping on a regular basis.”

Regardless of how easy or difficult the conversation will be, it’s an important one to have. Be open and honest to make sure the final decision you and your boyfriend reach is one that’s truly right for you and your relationship. Be sure the decision reflects what’s realistic for the both of you; being honest from the start could pay off majorly in the end.

“Of all my friends or the couples I know who went through a semester abroad this past spring, we were the only ones that made it to the end, and I think it had a lot to do with that understanding from the beginning,” Megan says.

Be clear: are you broken up, on a break or in a committed relationship?

As dedicated as you are to your boyfriend, a semester or year abroad is a long time (and let’s face it––those foreign guys and their accents are just so adorable). Circumstances change, making a break from the relationship appealing for some couples. “I was going away for a year, and we didn't want to hold each other back from experiencing anything––myself in Europe, him in college,” says Jill*, a junior at Skidmore College who recently studied abroad in Paris and decided to take the time away from her boyfriend to reassess their relationship.

If cracks are starting to show when discussing your expectations or you’re having a hard time agreeing on relationship terms, a break might be best. It's not wise to commit to a full-blown long-distance relationship unless you feel you're already a strong couple and you're willing to devote considerable time and attention to keeping up that communication.

“I broke up with someone before spending an entire semester abroad because I wasn't willing to do the work to maintain that relationship for such an extended period of time,” Elizabeth says. “Interestingly, that moment before I left ended up being the perfect time to really do an evaluation of the relationship–I realized I wasn't getting what I wanted anyway, and it became an opportunity to make a clean break.”

That being said, a relationship abroad can definitely work out for the better as well despite the distance. “After a few weeks, it was clear to both of us that we didn't want to be with other people, but giving ourselves space to figure that out was probably why it worked,” Jill says. Be sure to discuss your expectations for your relationship – whether you can see other people or not, the reasons for making whatever decision you come to, how open you’ll be with one another while abroad, how often you’ll communicate and with what means – and make sure you come to an agreement to make the most of your long-distance time together.

While You’re Abroad

Stay accountable to the ground rules you decide on

Be sure both of you know why you’re together and what the expectations associated with staying together are. The two of you should be committed to staying together for similar reasons, and should both be comfortable with the justifications for your decision. If one of you really wants to try and make it work while the other one isn’t too into it, problems might not be too far down the road.

“We're willing to go through a period of separation in the interest of our ‘end goal,’” says Alicia, a senior at Penn State who’s studying abroad in Spain. “We're willing to be apart for a while so we can be together in the long run… We trust each other, are honest and are willing to deal with a little distance so that eventually we can be together again afterwards.”

Trust is key in making a long-distance overseas relationship work. Dr. Young says that with young adults in particular, it’s hard to go for more than six weeks without being tempted to cheat. To avoid tears and heartbreak down the road, be absolutely 100 percent sure the both of you fully trust one another to ensure your relationship remains strong.

“Naturally there's a part of me that's scared he's going to find a tall, blonde beer wench with pigtail braids, but that's the part of me I work hard to ignore because I know I can trust him,” says Alicia. “If I didn't trust him so much, there's no way I'd be comfortable being abroad in separate places.”

Strike a balance between exploring and keeping in touch

As important as trust is when it comes to making a relationship work despite distance, it’s also important that both of you allow time to explore your new home away from home and experience new things.

“Since we'll both be abroad in different places, we realize the importance of making new friends for each of us,” says Brooke. “Additionally, we realize going abroad is pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we both want to enjoy it to the fullest extent.”

Regardless of your relationship status, don’t spend all your time keeping in contact with your BF. “The number one thing to avoid: Skyping him 24/7!” says Jill. “One girl on my program barely left her homestay because she would Skype her boyfriend every night, and when they broke up near the end of the semester, she was really upset that she hadn't spent more time experiencing the city and getting to know people.”

Deciding how much you’ll communicate with one another (whether it’s Skype, email, or whatever else you can think of using!) will have to be a decision the two of you make based on how much you’re used to talking and how much time both of your schedules will allow. This is especially true if you have to factor in a significant time difference. Moral of the story? If you’ve decided to make a relationship work in some shape or form, agree on a couple shared goals for how much the two of you stay in touch with each other. However, “be sure to send little reminders you exist so it won’t be out of sight, out of mind,” says Dr. Young.

Consider visiting each other

For collegiettes absolutely determined to make a relationship work, Dr. Young encourages couples to do everything possible to make at least one in-person visit while abroad. He describes the experience of sharing your time abroad with a BF as a “very romantic adventure” that can help develop a “sense of excitement” in the relationship through experiencing new sights, sounds and activities together as a couple.

When You Come Back Home

Recognize that studying abroad changes you

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that will no doubt affect you and your relationship in ways you won’t be able to predict before you depart. “Don’t expect [the person abroad] to come back the same, because they won’t be,” Dr. Young says. “For most people, enlightenment as a result of studying abroad changes them. You’re coming back with new appreciations in play.”

Jill suggests reuniting with your boyfriend (or ex, depending on what happened during time abroad) regardless of where your relationship stands. “It might be good to decide that you'll meet up once you're home again no matter what--whether you've stayed close or drifted apart,” she says. “That way, even if it seems like things are headed south, you have a chance to remind yourselves what was so worth waiting for in the first place and then decide if you still want to work at it.”

Once you touch down back home, have another honest conversation with your partner and reassess where your relationship stands and what you mean to one another. Be open to the fact that both of you may have changed after being abroad.

Obviously there’s no easy answer on how to navigate relationships when you are abroad. Be genuine, sincere and caring, and you’ll no doubt reach a smart, (hopefully) satisfactory decision about what to do about your relationship that will allow for an amazing adventure abroad, regardless of what you and your boyfriend decide!

*Names have been changed.